8 Months
Harvey felt as though he were akin to a beached whale as he lay on the couch fanning himself with the newspaper. It was August and as hot as hell and it didn't matter how much he turned down the dial on the thermostat he was still hot.
Mike on the other hand was wearing winter clothes while in the apartment and doing his very best not to upset Harvey, who could quickly turn into a killer whale at the slightest wrong look.
Donna was far more thick-skinned and kept telling him to just be quiet and stop whining. She was over for the day, putting the finishing touches on the nursery and taking no nonsense from anyone.
To add to Harvey's misery, Mike was dragging him to Lamaze class that night. He had been purposefully avoiding them for two reasons: first, he did not want to think about the birth, or any aspect of it as it scared the shit out of him. Second, he hadn't really been keen on the idea of sitting in a room full of panting pregnant people, even if he was one of them.
Mike had been pretty insistent though that he at least get an idea of what he had coming, rather than sticking his head in the sand.
Harvey had finally relented, if only to get him to just shut up.
When they had arrived, all eyes had fallen on them and Harvey had attempted to turn around and leave but ran into the brick wall that was Mike at that moment. After some mutual glaring he relented again and turned back around.
Finding a spot in the corner he couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed at not seeing any other pregnant guys there. In some ways he was hoping to actually ask someone else in the same position as him some questions. The Internet had scared him silly, so he wanted some confirmation of his fears.
Just as they were getting started the door opened and in walked a very pregnant 20-something guy, who was absolutely glowing and full of smiles, holding the hand of another very gorgeous younger man. Harvey suddenly regretted wanting another guy there. He felt fat and hideous, and he knew the others there were comparing the two of them.
The other couple caught sight of him as he tried to hide behind Mike and quickly came their way.
"Hi, we're glad to see you here, we were feeling pretty lonely at the other classes."
He felt Mike nudge him in the ribs a little roughly and realized he was glaring at them. It wasn't their fault they were so perfect he reminded himself. He still hated them a little though.
He softened his expression as best he could and reached his hand out to the other pregnant man "I'm Harvey and this is Mike."
The guy shook his hand warmly and responded, "Jeremy, and this is Nick."
After they had all shook each others hands, Jeremy and Nick settled on to the floor next to them.
As the instructor began, Harvey tried hard to focus, but some of the descriptions were
making him a bit faint. This was exactly why he had done his best not to think about all of this.
Jeremy clearly saw his panic and reached over and patted his hand.
"Don't worry, she makes it sound so horrible, but it won't be that bad."
"Actually, I think it probably will be. There's no point in fucking sugar-coating it."
Mike nudged him again.
Jeremy looked a bit panicked himself then, and Nick tried to change the subject before they both went into hysterics.
"How long have you two been together."
Mike answered, since Harvey couldn't.
"About three months, you?"
Both Jeremy and Nick looked at Harvey's belly at the words three months.
Mike just laughed, "I'm not the baby's biological father, but I will be acting as such." The other two cooed at this, as though it was the sweetest thing in the world. Harvey agreed on that fact but remained silent.
He was glad that Mike was handling this so well, since he knew he was failing miserably.
Nick smiled in understanding, "we've been together five years, we were high school sweethearts. Where did you meet?"
"Harvey hired me as his associate."
"Aww that's sweet, an office romance"
Jeremy had calmed down enough at that point to ask when Harvey was due.
"September 26, you?"
"No way! I'm due September 25!"
Harvey couldn't quite join in with the squeals of delight at this, as frankly, he didn't fucking care at that moment, since the instructor had brought out props that were far too graphic for his liking. He hadn't thrown up in about two months, but feared he might be about to begin again.
Mike clearly sensed his change in mood.
"Harvey, you ok?"
"I might need to step out for a minute."
Once they were safely in the hall, Harvey breathing through his mouth, he realized while Mike was concerned about him, he was also trying very hard not to laugh.
"Is something funny?"
"I'm sorry, but have you not thought about giving birth at all this whole time?"
"I've tried very, very hard not to."
"Harvey, what the hell were you planning on doing?"
"Drugs."
"Harvey. Seriously?"
"Ok, fine, I don't do well with pain."
Mike's attempts at suppressing his laugh were failing now. But he collected himself and turned serious again.
"Harvey, you need to go in there and learn about this. You will be better off armed with knowledge and you know it."
"Fine, I will do that… tomorrow."
Mike reprimanded him. "Harvey, no. Now."
Harvey sighed in exasperation. "Fine, but if I throw up, it's your fault."
Mike laughed again and then held the door open for him.
Jeremy and Nick looked at him concerned as he repositioned himself on the floor. He ignored them completely.
He felt Mike sit down behind him and he tried very hard to pay attention to the instructor. Mike was right, he only had a few weeks left, he had to face the fact that this baby was going to be coming out, somehow, and he better be prepared for that fact.
When the class mercifully ended, Mike helped him up since he was unable to get into the standing position from the floor on his own, and he headed for the exit.
He heard Mike talking to Jeremy and Nick behind him, but he just went outside and gulped in the fresh air.
Jeremy came up beside him and gave him a sympathetic look. "The first class is always the hardest, it's the most shocking, but you'll be ok."
Harvey didn't believe this for a second, and almost told him so, but he got a warning look from Mike to behave and kept his mouth shut.
Mike made their goodbyes and they got into the car. Harvey hated letting Mike drive his car, but he had a hell of a time getting behind the wheel comfortably, so he had relented to this, knowing it was only short term.
"You need to relax, people have been having babies for a really long time, you will be fine."
"I know that rationally Mike, but this is all rather new to me, and I didn't exactly plan all of this, so you will have to excuse me if I'm freaking out a little bit."
Mike reached over and took his hand, gently squeezing it.
"I'm here with you, you know, and I will help you through this. Besides, think about the best part."
"What is that?"
"Holding the baby, seeing him or her for the first time."
Harvey considered this. He was still finding it difficult to picture that moment, as wrapped up in worry as he was.
He lifted Mike's hand and put it back on the steering wheel. "Both hands on the wheel please."
Mike gave him an amused look, but complied.
Harvey stared out the rainy window the rest of the way home, trying to picture that moment of seeing his baby for the first time. The picture was coming in clearer and he knew it would be worth all of it.
